Wuthering Heights (1939)
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A mysterious tale of passion and revenge unfolds in the desolate moors of the English countryside.
The story
A traveler named Lockwood seeks refuge from a snowstorm at the remote estate of Wuthering Heights. There, he encounters the brooding Heathcliff and is haunted by the ghost of a woman named Cathy. To make sense of the haunting, the housekeeper Ellen tells him the tragic history of the Earnshaw family and the intense, forbidden bond between Heathcliff and Cathy. The story follows their intertwined lives, marked by social barriers and deep-seated resentment, as they navigate a world of stark contrasts between the wild moors and the refined society of the neighboring Linton estate.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
After being raised by the Earnshaws, Heathcliff and Cathy develop a profound, secret love on the moors. A tragic accident involving the Linton family leads to Cathy being cared for by them, where she eventually falls in love with and marries Edgar Linton. Heathcliff disappears, only to return years later as a wealthy man seeking to reclaim his place. He systematically ruins Hindley and begins a campaign of revenge against the Lintons, even marrying Edgar's sister, Isabella. As Cathy falls ill, she and Heathcliff finally reconcile in their shared misery. She dies in his arms, and the film ends with the spectral images of both Heathcliff and Cathy roaming the moors together.
- First release year
- 1939
- Runtime (minutes)
- 103
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- William Wyler
- Writers
- Charles MacArthur · screenplay; Ben Hecht · screenplay; John Huston · screenplay (uncredited)
- Cast and characters
- Merle Oberon · Catherine Earnshaw Linton; Laurence Olivier · Heathcliff; David Niven · Edgar Linton; Flora Robson · Ellen Dean; Geraldine Fitzgerald · Isabella Linton; Hugh Williams · Hindley Earnshaw; Donald Crisp · Dr. Kenneth; Miles Mander · Mr. Lockwood
- Genres
- romantic period drama; Gothic
- Themes
- forbidden love; revenge; social class; obsession
- Tone and mood
- somber; tragic; atmospheric
- Premise and plot tags
- period piece; gothic romance; literary adaptation
- Source material / true-story basis
- Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë (1847)
- Reception
- The film received critical acclaim for its somber, poetic atmosphere and strong performances, though some critics noted its slow pace. It was recognized as a significant work of filmmaking, eventually being selected for the National Film Registry.
- Awards and nominations
- New York Film Critics Award · Best Film · 1939 · Win; Academy Award · Best Cinematography, black-and-white · Win; Academy Award · Original Score · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was the first to use the Mitchell BNC camera.; The production was intended as a vehicle for Merle Oberon.; The ending scene of the spirits was added after primary filming was complete.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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